12 hour void!!!

Do you know what it is like to have a strange empty feeling coursing through your body? A feeling of a void  in time...hands twitching to grab my crochet hook !!!
When I finished this little bonnet for my great niece it dawned on me I had absolutely no other  "make" to complete or project in mind!!!!  

After 12 hours of flittering through Pinterest, Raverly,Google and feeling totally woebegone (just love that word...I wonder if we have Will Shakespeare to thank for it), my sanity was saved by Facebook and a message that came through from my niece with the wonderful news that she is expecting her second child and her babe is another girl!!!!
I so feel "me" again and have another crochet project on the go!!!!   Life is good!!!! :-)

A definite stash buster!!!  This little bonnet for a 1 year old  is based on the pattern from Susan at petitepurls but as we crocheters do it has been tweaked generously by yours truly to adapt it to what I had in mind.  As I said it is a stash buster so it is made up of bits of worsted yarn and I used a  4.00 hook

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I have been lagging behind as usual and I had plans to post these photos last Sunday after our walk. It wasn't to be so I am including them now.
Such a beautiful morning!

This is the oldest park in Alicante.

It was built to commemorate a 19th century local politician,  Jose Canalejas who was known as the Protector of Alicante. Thanks to him the port is as you can see it in these photographs,it was just a measly harbour before.  However what really draws me to Canalejas park are the gigantic centenary ficus trees . They are magnificent!!!

Parque Canalejas

Santa Barbara Castle and the old Customs and Excise offices

Happy Sunday to all!!!

Amanda :-)

We can't put the sparkle away yet!

2015

Happy New Year to you all !!!!!

Here's wishing you ALL a  bright New Year filled with peace,joy,health and happiness!

The jacket throw  is finally finished...completed...finito!!! Phew!!!  I think it cheers the room up a great deal! However a certain person in this household could have kept his opinion to himself ....grannyfied indeed!!!! Much more suitable for a country cottage indeed!!!! grr!!!!!!

I expect a lot of you have now put your Christmas decorations away but I can't do that yet. We still have the Kings night to celebrate on 5th January and the Kings day on 6th January (Epiphany). Another bundle of gifts are given out, that or coal if people have been naughty.
Personally I can think of quite a few people in high places here in Spain who should receive coal from the three Kings and not gifts!!!!

El dia de los Reyes (The three Kings Day) is virtually as important as Christmas itself in Spain, especially for kiddies, as this is the day when they traditionally get their presents. Nowadays though more and more young parents celebrate 24th December and Father Christmas who brings the majority of the presents and a little something is left for the Kings night! However the Kings parade on the night of 5th is quite something to see, when the three kings arrive by camel  and lead their procession through the streets, throwing sweets to the children.

The King's arriving in Muchamiel Alicante 2014

The King's parade Alicante 2014

 When the children return to their homes they leave their shoes out  or the Kings to fill, not stockings ....mind you more than one clever tot leaves out Daddy's boots. The next morning, the children wake up to find their presents have been left overnight !
I remember when I first came to Spain in the 70s my husband's family kept to the old tradition. Christmas Day was a day spent with the family but no visit from Father Christmas or presents under the tree. The presents were all delivered by the Kings on the 6th January. This was very strange to me and it took me awhile to adjust. Once we had our own house we decided we would respect and enjoy both of our Christmas traditions,so I got my typical Christmas Day and Sr P continued to have his Kings Day. We have continued to do this and my daughter does the same. There has been some general talk of eliminating the King's Day but that has been met with a lot of opposition,I am pleased to say. The  King's Day is an important part of this culture and I don't think it should be wiped out.


As I said another round of gifts and this neck warmer is what  I have made for my daughter to add to the gifts from the Kings.

 The weather in Alicante is deceiving !
During the day it can be really nice but the temperature drops drastically when the sun goes down. My daughter finishes work at 8 or 9:00pm so she will appreciate the warmth of this neck warmer at night.
I used Katia Inca super chunky yarn 53 % wool and 47% acrylic and a 8.00 hook. It was a delight to use and I made this in a jiffy. Those lovely big crimson buttons from my button hoard.

It is cold this evening and a sea mist has swept inland so it is quite damp and foggy out there.  I think a nice hot cuppa tea and some dunking biscuits will just do me right for supper!  

Keep well

Amanda :-)

All I want for Christmas is .....some time with my family!

It is here!


I have just finished marking exam papers and tomorrow is Christmas Eve...yes I know you know that but I have to remind myself that it is actually tomorrow. It has crept up on me so very fast!

Tomorrow it is going to be a crazy,crazy day for me as I have to do my Christmas shopping,wrapping presents and baking some English goodies to take to my sister-in-law's villa for the big family meal.
They do so like the English cakes!
They have this funny idea that I am a fantastic cook because I make these yummy cakes. If only they knew the truth ...I am quite mediocre where cooking is concerned . Anyhow tomorrow I'll be making a baked cheesecake with a fresh fruit topping and I thought as Lucy's at Attic24 Super Smartie cookies were so successful when I tried them out in August I'd do some of those for the kiddies.

Now I am going to straight away wish you all a very very Merry Christmas and a fantastic time with your family but this time instead of posting the usual Christmas image I thought you'd like to see these gorgeous photos of Misty my sister's toy poodle in her Christmas bonnet which I sent her last week. Would you believe it my guess work paid off and it actually fitted her !!!!!!

Even the ear slits were the right size!!!

I like this one best she looks so sweet!!!   Billy the Labrador doesn't want to look at her in case he has to put a Christmas bonnet on as well!!!  Ha! Ha!

 

 

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS  

 and as I always say 

for those of you who do not hold these same beliefs.... no matter ......because I believe to wish someone Merry Christmas is synonymous of wishing you peace and happiness. 

 

May this be so dear bloggers ,
 

PEACE AND HAPPINESS,MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Feliz Navidad, 

 Bon Nadal, , Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar, Joyeux Noël, Froehliche Weihnachten, Shub Naya Baras,  Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Buone Feste Natalizie, Feliz Natal, Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun and Nadolig Llawen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvaging or don't leave me I am still a presence in blogland

 Nigh on a month without posting on my blog....sigh!!!  where did that month go!!!!!!


Many thanks to all for your encouraging remarks on my last post.
I did finally get the jacket out of the cupboard and frogged it down to the 62 squares. As you can see I converted it into a throw. It will be  for my grand-daughter for her siestas. She sometimes has a little nap after finishing her homework and often wakes up cold so she'll be able to use this to cover herself with.
 I made up some more bobble squares as I liked those very much and joined the lot together with the invisible stitch.  I made up a bobble edging too although it is not finished as yet ..... it still needs THE finishing touch and blocking.

In answer to a few queries in a previous post:
Linda ( Linda's crafty corner)      I found this pattern from Sara Palacios to make the diamond triangle square. You can download the pattern from here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-diamond-in-square
Gracie (grayseasailor)  the bobble square pattern comes from this book

I also found a pattern for a Christmas bonnet at Amidorable Crochet and felt a tremendous urge to make one for Misty,my sister's Toy poodle:

I can't wait to see it on her. I am hoping my sister will send me photos soon.


I have also been very lucky to win Susan's at My Mother's Apron Strings monthly Apron giveaway for November . It is the most gorgeous apron and just look at the colours.  Doesn't it just go with my kitchen colour scheme ??
Thank you so much Susan.

That is all for the moment dear bloggers!  

Amanda :-)

Big Tease reveal & BIG Let down!!!!

I am not amused!!!!

This is difficult for me to say after all my teasing but....
my wonderful,wonderful unknown make is a horrendous disaster and a BIG disappointment.

I felt so inspired and I imagined it was going to be such a fabulous make too. It is a disaster and looks like a sack. ... so disappointing!!!

Zelna's coat  not mine!

My project was a Granny square jacket and I received my inspiration from Zelna's pattern here on ZootyOwls blog . Zelna offers a free pattern and although I had other ideas for colours and square design I kept to the pattern,hooks,type of yarn and size of squares religiously for the jacket size that I wanted.

My idea was a big stash buster but when I got to attaching the first sleeve to the body and back and then trying it on well..... what can I say except it looked flipping awful!!!
I'm afraid I don't even want to show you my effort...it is rubbish!!!   The image here is as it should have been!!!

At present I have just thrown it in a cupboard I am that annoyed!







Well done though Steph from Show and Tell and Meredith  from Mereknits as they guessed correctly:

Meredith commented "How about a granny jacket?"
and Steph said " Are you making an Amazing technicolour dream coat!" .

Apologies to all who have been waiting for the great reveal and only got a BIG let down!!!!  )-:

Amanda 

Cheeky Monkeys

Too true!!!   I had a couple of cheeky monkeys in my household last Saturday!!!

November 1st was   Dia de todo los santos (All Saints Day) I told my daughter and grand-daughter to come over for lunch.   While I was preparing the meal ...Roast Chicken Amanda Style.....it is a favourite ....I heard a certain amount of giggling coming from my study. I found both of the girls there;,Mother and daughter,rifling through the goodies that Ellie from Feltabulous had sent me. Understandably I told them to keep their hands off !! However we had some more giggling and smirking at the dinner table too and it wasn't until after lunch that I finally realized that those two cheeky monkeys had not come away from the study empty handed.

As you can see from photos taken at the time:

My daughter took a liking to one of Ellie's bracelets! Thank goodness it wasn't the orange one as I particularly like that one and there would have been words said!!!
 AND

 My grand-daughter Cookie Baby took a liking to the earrings. In fact the photo does not do them justice they are much brighter and prettier than what you see here.

I have to admit they really suit her!!!    Ahhhh! She'll be 14 at the end of this month!! Time so whizzes by...sigh!!!
I have now stored all the rest of Ellie's goodies away so no cheeky monkeys can decide to go back and have another rummage.

They were still in the mood for more cheekiness and they decided to mess around with my granny squares ...now silly girls they know not to mess with my crochet so I just had to wip them all up and keep them away from their grubby mitts!!!
They had the last word though as they caught me doing it!

By the way I'm down to the last 10 squares and have begun joining the GSs together!!    I am sorry I'll have to keep you guessing for awhile longer as it is going to take me some time to join it all together and then I want to add some overlay crochet to it and some pompoms!!!

Now where were we ...

• poncho
• hippy pants
• table runner
• cushion covers
• sofa cover
• bag
• shawl
• wall hanging
• chair cover   all these were the guesses mentioned in my last post and the following are the latest ones.
• granny jacket
• outfit;skirt and top
• beanbag
• bunting flags
• cardigan
• dream coat
• yarn bombing project    

How about that then!  Isn't it amazing the inspiration and creativity of bloggers!!!
 I heart blogging!!!!

If you remember I mentioned in my last post here that I was going to tell you about a parcel I received from the USA.
Well Sharon from ... From my front porch and I have had a little personal swap and she has sent me another two of these gorgeous candles that I liked so much. Maple butter ...mmmm I just love the smell! Nice large candles too in glass tubs. It is a miracle they arrived all in one piece and all the way from Morristown Tennessee....in the USA!
Sharon also sent me a lovely crocheted washcloth which I can't show you because it is in the wash. I use it you see!!!  :-)  

Here's one of the reasons I just don't want to let go of blogging...the incredible great contacts I have made. It isn't just about what one receives either...it is ...the thought that goes into it.Thank you Sharon!!!

12th November
As you will see my post was dated 1st November and now its 12th November ...sigh!!!  It has taken me that long to get back here to be able to finish my post...tch!!    That is the way the cookie crumbles though I can only do what I can and when I can !  :-)

keep well

Amanda :-)

Unbelievable... getting stressed out with crochet!!!!

Will it ever end!!!!!

It takes up all my spare time....."don't be daft woman what spare time????"  
The spare time I sneakily steal from lesson prep,class breaks and waiting in the car moments.

I am determined I am going to finish this soon as I am getting quite cross with all these granny squares. I want to get on with the putting together bit and making other things.

Oh! horror of horrors!!!!   I am getting stressed out with my crochet.

44 done!!!    18 to go!!     I will finish it soon ....enough is enough.

As I mentioned before the squares are not for a blanket nor are they for the following:

• poncho
• hippy pants
• table runner
• cushion covers
• sofa cover
• bag
• shawl
• wall hanging
• chair cover         so I've got you guessing.......ahhhh!    Anymore suggestions????? 

Amanda :-)

and ...I said out loud ...WOW!

I said all that and more!
Sr P also peered in among the goodies lifting up a parcel here and there while he sniffed and said ......it smells of cinnamon.
The presentation of it all was so alluring that I was dying to get to and open up all the little parcels.  It made for some enjoyable moments as we oohed and ahhed  as I unwrapped each parcel.

I am participating in Blueberry Hearts Golden Autumn Swap


and the previous introduction is a brief description of first impressions of the contents of the swap parcel I received from Ellie at Feltabulous last  Thursday. As luck would have it we also received each others swap parcels practically simultaneously so you can find the contents of what I sent to Ellie here in her latest post.

Let me show you because the contents indeed must be seen as Ellie has been extremely generous.

How about that then? Glorious,isn't it?

 As you can see everything was wrapped up in Autumn colours (so.... nice brings to mind home and walks in the woods . You just don't get those colours here!)    You can see there's a lovely bunch of ribbons ,a felt ball garland (so soft),some pretty tape, a silk mini bunting,a Lincoln City fridge magnet(it is actually on my fridge door now. I have four from different swaps so I think it is the start of a collection. What I particularly like are the fine tip pens!!! This is quite a coincidence actually because I've been having ideas of going back to something I used to do years ago and it involves fine tip pens. I was thinking of buying a couple and starting on this idea over the summer months but it got pushed to one side. I think now ....this is destiny saying go on do it and Ellie's gift is prompting me to go ahead :-)

Here we find where the wonderful cinnamon smell comes from...the candles. All of them smell extremely nice but I do like the Cinnamon Stick one particularly. I mean for Sr P to sniff it out straight away is something as he couldn't care less about candles or nice air freshener smells!
Look buttons ...more for my collection and lace!!!   Love it!

More goodies!!! 
The bracelets are wonderful. I have already worn the orange one and it is very comfortable. I very often do not wear bracelets as they bother me ;this one does not.   I do like the idea of the picture giving a description of the different types of beads used.
Do you see the burnt orange felt heart?   Ellie made that and from Merino Wool!!
There is more. A notebook,postcards,a key ring which is now hanging from my bag handle, love those pretty stones dangling from the side of my handbag.A Traditional English recipe booklet . I'm thinking of scanning off a couple of those recipes for my students. I can use that in class and it will also show them we do not eat sandwiches or fast food all the time,as they seem to think so.

I am trying to pump as much gratefulness and sincere sense of pleasure into this post as possible to try and portray just how much I appreciate these marvelous swap gifts. Ellie has been most thoughtful as I can see she has taken into account just what I like.  
Thank you so much Ellie for the care and consideration to me a stranger that you have shown in the selection of swap gifts that you have sent me.
Thank you also to Blueberry Heart for hosting such a wonderful swap and I look forward to next years as well.

I have been thoroughly spoilt these last few days I received something else and this time from the USA but I'll leave that for my next post.

I'll just add a photo of what I am working on at the moment

30 Granny squares done and 32 to go.....groan!!!!     As I mentioned in my previous post ...noooo it is not a blanket! Can you guess what it is going to be???   :-)


Have a great weekend

Amanda :-)

Well travelled!

Well travelled that's me!

not on Ryan Air!!!

I have travelled a bit not as much as I would like to though. I enjoy travelling immensely. I also seem to have this anxiety to get to know other cultures,to see and explore new places.
However the title of my post is a little misleading because it is not my intention to boast about or bore you with an itinerary of countries I have been too but quite the opposite.

I was reading Gracie from One Saylors blog recent post about "Gathering across America" and was greatly admiring her lovely photos of her family and her trip; such a beautiful part of the States. I was indulging in thoughts of that scenic part of the USA that she lives in and travels to when it came to mind just how much I do enjoy the images that bloggy friends post on their blogs, showing where they live or where they go on holiday or even if they have redecorated a part of their house or moved to a new home. It is like a window to another land, indeed  a virtual window of course. I know it is never the same as actually seeing it in real life but nevertheless I count myself lucky that I am in contact with bloggers in many far away places who post some really fascinating and interesting photos.
I have mentioned in the past that I am a very visual person. I am indeed and images for me are really stimulating. They open my mind. They stir my imagination,they make me form an opinion ( not always right may I say.... I am not clairvoyant) and of course produce umpteen questions,which I do not ask so as not to be impolite.  If you don't understand what I am trying to describe can I just give you an example.
Lets see!
We are often shown photos of a new born which we admire because babies are always beautiful and so tiny and adorable. I do that of course but then I look at the rest and masses of thoughts go through my mind and I could be thinking perhaps......(there will be no commas throughout the next paragraph as my thoughts are usually erratic in this situation and during those moments there is no such thing as punctuation)

......looks like it is sunny the light is shining off the handle bars of the pram and it was taken outside in the garden but that looks more like a park than a garden as I can see the sides of a bench and it looks like a public bench and there is a tag sticking up from a bush beside a lovely flower so got to be somewhere public the baby has to be too warm because she/he has too many covers over him/her I like the blanket definitely crochet I wonder if it is cotton or yarn but what is that hanging from the side looks like a good luck charm ....bla bla and bla.

Ok now don't laugh it is really more or less like that!!!
Some would say I am just observant but I'm inclined to think it goes beyond that.
Now I'm sure you didn't really want to know about how I need to see images to understand more so to cut a long story short receiving photos even those of your home are one of the reasons that I enjoy blogging so much because I feel in some small way that I am travelling there to where you live!!!

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Now then you all had a bit of a giggle ...didn't you over my last post ? On reading some of the comments I have received I'm pretty sure that is so. I thought I would reply to some of the comments here on this post for a change:

Dear Annie at Annie Cholewa
(Nude snorkelling ... would it be a first I wonder?)
reply: "ummmm ... no idea ....... but I certainly do not plan to be the first one to do it"

Sharon at From My Front Porch
(The bit about going nude made me giggle.)
reply:  "I knew it at least someone admits it."

 Elaine at Bramble Rambles
 (Nude bathing...no, my wobbly bits are best covered. Besides, I imagine I would be so scared of being seen that I would turn into a salt water prune while waiting for the coast to be clear enough for me to emerge from the sea into the safety of a towel!)
reply: I'm afraid to disappoint you all but I would probably do exactly the same!!!

Meredith at Mereknits
(You are so funny, it would be my luck to to run into someone I know while trying the nudest thing. And let me just say this 50 year old body doesn't need to be seen by anyone tha tis for sure.)

reply:" to be sure Meredith  .... you took the words right out of my mouth"

 Penny at The Hen House
(I love snorkelling but haven't skinny dipped since I was 26 & fairly sure I' not likely to again !)
reply: "yes! I did my stint of skinny dipping during sweltering hot evenings when it was nice and dark and no one could see you ....that is I used to until a twit shone the headlights of his car on the bit of water I was jumping up and down in . That ended it ....so very ungracious of him!!!!

Linda at Linda's Crafty Corner
(I had to have a giggle at the thought of you running into one of your students while you were in the nude doesn't bear thinking about haha xxx)
Reply: "yes ha! ha!....there you are more giggles . I certainly would not be giggling if that ever happened, I  blush just to think about it!"

Sue at Mrs Micawber
(Snorkeling sounds wonderful, and your idea of a sandal business sounds very profitable. :)
 reply " there you are someone one who can see the sensible side of things ...it really could be a good business, trouble is my people skills would severely suffer as I wouldn't be able to look my customers in the eye!  In fact I just wouldn't be able to look at them  full stop! Bad ...very bad for business!!!

 I've left this one for the last
Mum at Mum's Simply living blog
(Eat your heart out Sr P, your wife's heart is well and truly in the right place bringing joy to Blogland with her wonderful tales.
xx
PS I'm sure his heart is also in the right place - just go steady on that nudist beach!
xx )
Reply:  "Lovely compliment Mum which makes me feel so good as I am so glad you enjoyed my last post. If it brought a smile (or giggle) to your face and to my other boggy friends then it was worth writing :-) "


The five hour course I usually give Saturday mornings is starting up later this year so I was for once able to attend the neighbours' end of the summer seafood barbeque. Needless to say it was wonderfully relaxing and I had a great time. We cracked silly jokes,did impersonations,danced ,sang and had a a daft time  which was fantastic it started about 2:00pm (lunchtime here) and it was still going strong when I came away at 7:30 pm. I have been told today they finished about 1:00am in the morning!!!!!

Nothing to show you at present crochet wise except that I'm on my 15th Granny Square and I have to make 62 approx  and Nooooo...  I am not making a blanket!!!

Keep well now!

Amanda :-) 

PS: this was mostly written on Sunday but do you think I could finish it .... impossible not even a breather until now!

There it was gone!!!!

Holidays are wonderful but they are far too short. Its post-hols depression once again!!1


I'm shattered ....devastated!!!   My husband has cut up my heart and put it in a Spanish Omelette. Now then...for those of you who are wondering what the dickens I am talking about you best pop in to my last post here. I wouldn't like you to think Sr P has gone down Hannibal Lecter's road  and Silence of the Lambs is repeating itself in real life!!!!

I've popped in these photos of two adorable fairies that my sister has knitted for her great grand-daughter E. I just love them and they have such delightful names; Fairy Rose and Fairy Daisy.

Fairy Rose

and here you have a photo of little E who took to her Fairy Rose straight away!

Permission granted by E's Mum to use this photo on my blog

 I am pleased to  inform you my Mediterranean Giveaway goodies arrived safely to Zana at Zana's homemade   in New Zealand and surprisingly quick too. I added a few bits more to the original contents but I'll leave that for Zana to tell you about.


On the receiving end my heart missed a beat when I saw this parcel arrive:

 I just love the cheeriness of this postal jiffy bag. You know straight away that its something good inside!   It was indeed! The smashing giveaway that I won from Sue at Mrs Micawber

Just adore how the parcel is sealed up with two crochet flowers. The magazine well I can tell you it is truly years since I have had a Crochet Magazine in English in my hands!

The yarn is unbelievably soft and I just love that colour.  At present I'm putting it away until I decide what I am going to make with it  for ME. As it is all for ME this time!!!!   Sue also sent me some buttons for my button cache and the beautiful pink crochet hook purse.  Sigh!!! all gratefully received ,thank you Sue!


Busy busy time of the year for me but I've been squeezing in some quality time here and there to make up my bits for the Golden Autumn swap that Blueberry Heart is hosting which I will send to my swap partner Ellie at Feltabulous around mid October .  I can't show you any of it because it would be telling .....wouldn't it?


Here is one of my makes which I made during August.

A Mandala Fridge magnet

I don't feel as if I've achieved much craft wise throughout one month's holiday but the pig sty had to be converted back into a home again so I've been cleaning and cleaning and now it looks decent.

 We did managed to get to the beach to do it a bit of snorkel diving though.
We've returned to a little secluded part of the coast which isn't really a beach because it is mostly pebbles and rocks. We used to go there some years back so we were pleased to find the sea is as crystal clear as ever and fabulous for snorkel diving.  You don't get a lot of people there either because of the lack of sand but we don't mind that at all, as armed with our good old plastic sandals and spending most of the time in the sea  it  doesn't bother us. We did notice though because of the dunes further up that it has become popular now with nudists.They camp up in the dunes and come down to the sea to swim. We can usually hear them coming down to the shore because they don't know what plastic sandals are and the uuuh, ouch,ah ,B*** sounds as they step on the pebbles are quite loud.  I think I'd do quite a roaring trade in the summer selling plastic sandals and I think they might just break their nudist rules and cover their feet.  That nudists inhabit the dunes doesn't bother us at all either as we go there for the clear waters and the snorkeling which Sr P and I enjoy so much. It has even crossed my mind and I have discussed it with Sr P too wondering what it would be like to do the same...go nude that is..... but being blessed or cursed with a vivid imagination I imagined It would just be my luck that one of my students would one day come walking towards me and I assure you I'd die there and then of embarrassment!

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I'd like to welcome my new followers. Thank you for visiting and please do comment when you can.

I'd like also to invite you to pop in to Step's blog Show and Tell ,with a cat called Moonpie you can practically guess that there is a mystical creative crafty blogger blogging away there !   I am sure she'd love to have you visit.

Keep well you all

Amanda :-)